VANCOUVER – As the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL) opens its 14th regular season this month, the Thunderbirds' women's hockey team is especially excited as two recent graduates embark on their professional careers in Scandinavia.
2019-20 UBC captain Mathea Fischer and alternate captain Hannah Clayton-Carroll both signed professional contracts over the summer and are now competing in one of the top women's leagues in the world.
After spending the last five years with the Thunderbirds, Fischer returns to Northern Europe having joined Djurgardens IF in Stockholm, just a six-hour drive from her native Oslo, Norway.
"I am super excited to continue my career at Djurgardens and to be a part of such an established organization," said Fischer who is relishing the chance to play so much closer to her family. "I absolutely loved living in Vancouver but I am excited to be closer to home. Stockholm is also a beautiful city. Unfortunately my family hasn't been able to come visit yet because of COVID-19 but they will as soon as they can. It's also a lot easier to be in the same time zone to keep in touch, but also for them to watch the games."
Graduating from the Sauder School of Business this past spring, Fischer leaves UBC as one of the most impactful forwards over her tenure with the T-Birds. In 135 regular season games, she scored 21 goals with 50 assists for 71 points and 40 penalty minutes. Fischer added another five goals and 14 points in 27 post-season games including 11 points in eight playoff appearances over her last two seasons with the 'Birds.
"Mathea was a heart and soul player for us from day one and made an impact right away," said UBC head coach Graham Thomas. "She came a long way during her time with us. She is a true competitor, leader and loves the game. She was a consistent player who left it all on the ice every shift. We miss her already and know she will do great in her professional career."
In addition to her major contributions for the blue and gold, Fischer has also represented her native Norway on multiple occasions, most recently at the 2019 IIHF Division I Group A World Championship tournament.
While at UBC, Fischer was named to the Canada West All-Rookie team, competed at two U SPORTS national championships, and was named an Academic All-Canadian.
"I am so grateful for my time as a Thunderbird and I can't wait to watch them moving forward," said Fischer. "I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for my time at UBC. The past five years have definitely helped me prepare for this opportunity. I was always supported by my teammates and all the staff and I can't thank them enough for that. I can't wait to represent UBC in the SDHL with the other alumnae."
Much like Fischer, Clayton-Carroll departs UBC as a key offensive weapon and a veteran presence both on and off the ice and now begins her jump to the pro ranks with Gothenburg HC.
Joining the T-Birds as a rookie in the 2015-16 season, Clayton-Carroll improved her point total in each of her five seasons, finishing her last two years as the team's leading scorer.
Appearing in 109 regular season games for the blue and gold, the Vancouver native amassed 38 goals and 24 assists for 62 points along with just 32 penalty minutes. She led the 'Birds in goals in each of her final three seasons and finished the 2019-20 campaign with 10 goals and 18 points.
"Hannah is a true talent and a naturally gifted athlete," said Thomas. "She graduated playing her best hockey. She is a very creative offensive player who learned in her time here to play on both sides of the puck. It was amazing to watch her grow as a person and leader."
Clayton-Carroll's consistent production turned heads not only across the Canada West but also internationally as she'll look to continue to provide a strong offensive presence overseas.
"Once I started to talk to (Gothenburg) and learn about the city, I knew it would be a good fit for what I was looking for," said Clayton-Carroll who completed her Arts degree in the spring. "I am very excited for the opportunity to continue my hockey career and looking forward to experiencing a new culture here in Sweden."
A product of the Okanagan Hockey Academy, Clayton-Carroll was named a second team Canada West All-Star in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Like Fischer, she also earned back-to-back conference championships in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
"Our team has a lot of young skilled players, so I am hoping that I can bring some experience from my time playing in university to contribute offensively and help me be a good fit. My time with UBC was very special and I am so thankful I was able to spend five years there. There have been some tough times through my career, but the lessons I've learned on and off the ice have prepared me for any struggles I might encounter in the future."
Former captain Celine Tardif (Photo: Rich Lam/UBC Thunderbirds)
Fischer and Clayton-Carroll join fellow T-Birds alumnae Celine Tardif and Kelly Murray in the SDHL. Tardif is suiting up for Linkoping this season after spending her first professional season with Gothenburg in 2018-19. Murray is beginning her second season with SDE in Stockholm.
"It has been amazing to watch our alumni continue to pursue a career and the game they love at the professional level," added Thomas. "There are hopefully some great opportunities and growth to happen in women's professional leagues in the coming years which is very exciting. We currently have six players and one alumna coaching this season in a variety of professional leagues all across the globe. They are representing our program and university well and we are very proud of them."
